GCSE reading list

READING
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct
answer to each of the questions from 6 to 10.
By adopting a few simple techniques, parents who read to their children can considerably increase
their children's language development. It is surprising, but true. How parents talk to their children makes a
big difference in the children's language development. If a parent encourages the child to actively respond
to what the parent is reading, the child's language skills increase.
A study was done with two or three-year-old children and their parents. Half of the thirty children
participants were in the experimental study; the other half acted as the control group. In the experimental
group, the parents were given a two-hour training session in which they were taught to ask open-ended
questions rather than yes-no questions. For example, the parent should ask, "What is the doggy doing?"
rather than, "Is the doggy running away?" Experimental parents were also instructed how to expand on their
children's answer, how to suggest alternative possibilities, and how to praise correct answers.
At the beginning of the study, the children did not differ on levels of language development, but at the end
of one month, the children in the experimental group were 5.5 months ahead of the control group on a test
of verbal expression and vocabulary. Nine months later, the children in the experimental group still showed
an advance of 6 months over the children in the control group.
Question 6: Parents can give great help to their children's language development by _____ them.
A. adopting B. responding to C. experimenting D. reading to
Question 7: What does the word "they" in the second paragraph refer to?
A. Participants. B. Questions. C. Children. D. Parents.
Question 8: During the training session, experimental parents were taught to _____.
A. study many experiments B. use yes-no questions
C. give correct answers D. ask open-ended questions
Question 9: What was the major difference between the control group and the experimental one in the
study?
A. The training that parents received. B. The books that were read.
C. The age of the children. D. The number of participants.
Question 10: What conclusion can be drawn from this passage?
A. Children who read actively always act six months earlier than those who don't.
B. Children's language skills increase when they are required to respond actively.

C. Two or three-year-old children can be taught to read actively.
D. The more children read, the more intelligent they become.
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct
word for each of the blanks from 46 to 50.
It can be shown in facts and figures that cycling is the cheapest, most convenient, and most
environmentally desirable form of transport (46)______ towns, but such cold calculations do not mean much on
a frosty winter morning. The real appeal of cycling is that it is so (47)______. It has none of the difficulties and
tensions of other ways of travelling so you are more cheerful after a ride, even through the rush hour.
The first thing a non-cyclist says to you is: "But isn't it (48)______ dangerous?" It would be foolish to deny the
danger of sharing the road with motor vehicles and it must be admitted that there are an alarming (49)______ of
accidents involving cyclists. However, although police records (50)______ that the car driver is often to blame,
the answer lies with the cyclist. It is possible to ride in such a way as to reduce risks to a minimum.
Question 46: A. to B. at C. in D. on
Question 47: A. boring B. careful C. enjoyable D. excited
Question 48: A. expectedly B. strangely C. comfortably D. terribly
Question 49: A. number B. deal C. size D. digit
Question 50: A. point B. exhibit C. indicate D. display
2008
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi chỗ trống từ 31
đến 35.
Driving a car can be expensive. The bicycle, on the other hand, is a cheap form of (31)______
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because it doesn’t need any fuel. In fact, it costs practically nothing after you’ve bought it. It also helps keep
you fit because you get exercise when you ride it. Another good thing (32)______ a
bicycle is that it doesn’t pollute the air. If everyone rode bicycles instead of driving cars, we wouldn’t
be using up the world’s oil so quickly.
While the bicycle has these advantages, it has some disadvantages too. It is convenient only for
relatively short journeys, (33)______ you can travel quite a long way in comfort in a car. Another
problem is that the cyclist is not protected from the weather and gets wet when it rains.
Cycling isn’t very nice in heavy traffic (34)______. The best place for a bike ride is a quiet

country lane. Main roads and city streets are often so busy that it needs some courage to (35)______ a
bike on them.
Câu 31: A. communication B. transport C. entertainment D. delivery
Câu 32: A. off B. over C. about D. in
Câu 33: A. when B. whereas C. wherever D. whenever
Câu 34: A. too B. also C. either D. neither
Câu 35: A. ride B. operate C. run D. go
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 41 đến 45.
People usually sing because they like music or because they feel happy. They express their
happiness by singing. When a bird sings, however, its song usually means much more than that the
bird is happy. Birds have many reasons for singing. They sing to give information. Their songs are
their language.
The most beautiful songs are sung by male birds. They sing when they want to attract a female
bird. It is their way of saying that they are looking for a wife.
Birds also sing to tell other birds to keep away. To a bird, his tree or even a branch of a tree is his
home. He does not want strangers to come near him, so he sings to warn them.
If a bird cannot sing well, he usually has some other means of giving important information. Some
birds dance, spread out their tails or make other signs.
Câu 41: People sing because ______.
A. they feel happy B. they know many songs
C. they are good at singing D. they want to tell a story
Câu 42: What is one of the main reasons why birds sing?
A. They can sing many songs. B. They are sad.
C. They want to give information. D. They are in a bad temper.
Câu 43: Which birds sing the most beautiful songs?
A. Male birds B. Female birds which attract male birds
C. Female birds D. Young birds which attract male birds
Câu 44: According to the passage, a bird sings ______.
A. to stop sadness B. to warn about the approach of people
C. to tell other birds to come quickly D. to tell strangers to keep away

Câu 45: Most birds usually ______ if they cannot sing well.
A. give information in another way B. warn other birds to go away
C. find a wife D. fly in the sky
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi chỗ trống từ 1 đến 5.
Nowadays people are increasingly aware that wildlife all over the world is in danger. Many species of
animals are threatened, and can easily (1)______ extinct if we do not make an effort to protect them. There are
many reasons for this. In some cases, animals are hunted for their fur or for other (2)______ parts of their
bodies. Some birds such as parrots are caught alive and sold as pets. For many animals and birds, the problem is
that their habitat – the place (3)______ they live – is disappearing. More land is used for farms, houses or
industry, and there are fewer open (4)______ than there once were. Farmers use powerful chemicals to help
them to grow better crops, but these chemicals pollute the environment and harm wildlife. The most successful
animals on earth – human beings – will soon be the only ones that (5)______ unless we can solve this problem.
Câu 1: A. come B. become C. make D. take
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Câu 2: A. poor B. rich C. valuable D. valueless
Câu 3: A. what B. where C. there D. which
Câu 4: A. yards B. rooms C. countries D. spaces
Câu 5: A. survive B. miss C. appear D. leave
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 11 đến 15.
The year at an American college is divided into two semesters or three quarters. A semester includes 15
weeks; a quarter includes 10 weeks. American college students usually go to school from September to May.
They can also study during the summer.
Students choose their classes a few weeks before the start of each term. Universities and colleges offer a
great many classes in the students’ main areas of study and in other areas as well. Students must take both.
These include science, math, computer, history and English. Other classes such as dance, theater, or sports may
be just for fun. Tests are usually given in the middle of the term and at the end. The final exam is extremely
important. In some classes, the professor asks the students to write a research paper or complete a certain task
instead of taking a test.
Classes at an American college are usually organized through lectures. For example, a student may
attend two or three lectures a week by one professor. There may be as many as several hundred students at each

lecture.
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Câu 11: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. American college students never study during the summer.
B. The year at an American college usually starts in September.
C. The year at an American college is divided into two semesters or three quarters.
D. There are 15 weeks in each semester and 10 weeks in each quarter.
Câu 12: American college students choose their classes ______.
A. in the first week of each term B. at the end of each term
C. at any time during the term D. before the start of each term
Câu 13: Which of the following courses is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Science. B. Dance. C. History. D. Medicine.
Câu 14: Usually, an American college student takes ______ tests in a term.
A. five B. three C. two D. four
Câu 15: The final exam is ______.
A. just for fun B. less important C. very important D. not important
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 1 đến 5.
A combination of water, salt, air pollution, sun, sand, and wind is destroying the huge statue just
outside Cairo. This five-thousand-year-old statue, which has the body of a lion and the face of a
human being, is too badly damaged to be completely saved. First, there is not a good drainage system
around the statue and too much water has been running into the stone statue for several years. As a
result, tiny pieces of salt have been left on the stone and have damaged it. Second, air pollution from
the increasing amount of traffic in Cairo is also destroying the ancient statue. The air is so full of
poisonous gases that it is damaging the statue even faster. Third, the statue is being destroyed by
extremes of temperature. The air is very cold at night, but during the day the stone of the statue
becomes very hot under the strong sunlight. Other natural forces such as severe sandstorms attack the
statue as well. Finally, the tourists who visit the statue every day also cause a lot of damage to it.
Câu 1: Which of the following is NOT true about the statue?
A. It is in the centre of Cairo. B. It is badly damaged.
C. It is very big. D. Part of it looks like a person.

Câu 2: According to the passage, the statue was built ______.
A. 500 years ago B. 5,000 years ago C. in the 5th century D. in the 10th century
Câu 3: All of the following are mentioned as causes of damage to the statue EXCEPT ______.
A. tourists B. fires C. temperature D. air pollution
Câu 4: The word “ancient” in the passage mostly means ______.
A. beautiful B. very old C. very big D. modern
Câu 5: It can be inferred from the text that ______.
A. tiny pieces of salt have been put on the statue to prevent damage
B. there is little damage to the statue
C. human beings as well as nature cause much damage to the statue
D. the statue was built for entertainment many years ago
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi chỗ trống từ 11
đến 15.
There are a lot of things you should follow to be a welcome guest in America. When you are
(11)______ to have dinner at your friend’s house, it’s necessary to bring a small present. Flowers are
always nice; or you may bring a bottle of (12)______ if you know that your friend likes drinking.
You are expected to arrive for dinner on time or just a few minutes late. Don’t get there early.
If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.
Try to relax and enjoy yourself at the dinner table. If you don’t know about choosing the
(13)______ fork or knife, just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of
(14)______ to do, ask the person next to you.
When it comes to the food, if you like it, say so. They are looking forward to hearing your
compliments. Of course, you will thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It is also a good
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idea to send a (15)______ note the day after.
Câu 11: A. invited B. forced C. made D. demanded
Câu 12: A. Coke B. juice C. lemonade D. wine
Câu 13: A. right B. big C. main D. new
Câu 14: A. which B. where C. why D. what
Câu 15: A. message B. thank-you C. welcome D. goodbye

Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi chỗ trống từ 1 đến 5.
Many parents are worried about the bad effects of television, especially those on their children. Firstly,
there are a lot of violent films which may lead (1)______ crimes. Secondly, advertising is not always good
(2)______ children. They see so many advertisements for sweets, ice creams, and toys; and these advertisements
make them (3)______ to go and buy unnecessary things at once. Thirdly, sitting in front of a television set for a
long time is bad for their eyes. About one third of children wear glasses. (4)______, watching television is not
creative. It is very important for children to do something creative and athletic, (5)______ playing some musical
instrument, painting pictures, or playing football.
Câu 1: A. in B. to C. on D. for
Câu 2: A. of B. for C. about D. at
Câu 3: A. wanted B. wanting C. want D. to want
Câu 4: A. Whatever B. However C. Finally D. Nevertheless
Câu 5: A. so as B. such that C. such as D. so as to
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 11 đến 15.
Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847. His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, when
he was seven years old. Surprisingly, he attended school for only two months. His mother, a former teacher,
taught him a few things, but Thomas was mostly self-educated. His natural curiosity led him to start
experimenting at a young age.
Thomas Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Although the electric light
was the most useful, it was not his only invention. He also invented the record player, the motion picture
camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created something new. He worked 16 out
of every 24 hours. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to remind him to sleep and eat.
Thomas Edison died in 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey. He left numerous inventions that improved the
quality of life all over the world.
Câu 11: Thomas Edison was ______.
A. an inventor B. an explorer C. a discoverer D. a teacher
Câu 12: In 1854 Edison’s family ______.
A. decided to settle in Milan, Ohio B. moved to Port Huron, Michigan
C. sent him to a school in New Jersey D. bought a new house in Milan, Ohio
Câu 13: The word “self-educated” in the passage mostly means ______.

A. “having had good schooling” B. “having been well taught”
C. “having taught himself” D. “having had a high education”
Câu 14: Edison died at the age of ______.
A. 74 B. 84 C. 76 D. 47
Câu 15: Which of following statements is NOT true about Edison?
A. He made numerous inventions. B. He worked very hard.
C. He invented the motion picture camera. D. He didn’t go to school at all.
Đọc kỹ đoạn văn sau và chọn phương án đúng (ứng với A hoặc B, C, D) cho mỗi câu từ 1 đến 5.
Smoking causes lung cancer, which is the number one cancer among men. Ninety percent of the
people who get lung cancer die. Smoking is also the leading cause of mouth cancer, tongue cancer,
and throat cancer.
Many smokers have heart disease and pneumonia. Smoking causes about one million early deaths
in the world every year.
Smokers not only harm themselves but also harm others. Smokers breathe smoke out into the air.
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